BRINGING US TOGETHER
MESSAGE FROM THE DIVISION DIRECTOR HENRY D. STRUBLE
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
It is with a great deal of pleasure that I greet the park and recreation professional s, interested laymen and elected public officials concerned with park and recreation services in this first issue of the Parks and Recreation Newsletter since the implementation of Governor Carter's reorganization of state government.
As Director of the newly created Parks and Recreation Division of the Department of Natural Resources it seems only fitting to quote a current TV commercial "we are all in this together." This I submit to be true for the first time in my fourteen years of service as a professional in the park and recreation field in state government.
The overall complexion of state government reorganization will not be to everyone's liking. This is probably true in so far as park and recreation profesionals are concerned in the state. However, I believe, as do members of our Division staff, that through reorganization we can truly become the focal point for parks and recreation in Georgia . I say this with all sincerity. Unfortunately, many park
and recreation professionals in the state may look upon me as a "state parks man" . I should point out that I have five years experience in the public recreation field.
If I had the opportunity to talk with each park and recreation professional in the State I am sure our philosophy would be very closely aligned. Of course, as Division Director, I must be vitally concerned with the development and operation of our state park facilities. However, it is incumbent upon me and the entire Division staff to be cognizant of the problems and needs of local government in the provision of day to day park and recreation programs and services. There is an urgent need for the stimulation and direction of therapeutic recreation programs in the state. Our correctional recreation programs are in the infant stages we must be involved. We must continue to develop an ongoing program to educate our laymen and elected officials on the needs facing us in providing parks and recreation services from the local level through the state level. Direction must be given to our institutions of higher learning in curriculum development and we in turn
are obligated to pave the way for our graduates fro m the park and recreation curriculums. It is incumbent upon each of us to broaden our knowledge of the field and recognize the need and value of comprehensive planning and not become unduly engrossed with any one area of specialization.
One of the most effective methods of stimulating the park and recreation movement in the state is through a strong professional organization. We have such an organization in the Georgia Recreation and Park Society. I would strongly encourage all park and recreation professionals to not only become members of GRPS , but involved members.
Space does not permit me the opportunity to delve into the details of what we, you and I, regardless of your status or area of specialization in the field, can accomplish. However, as your state agency concerned with parks and recreation services, programs and facilities, let me assure you that my staff and I stand ready to assist in any way to stimulate quality park and recreation opportunities for all Georgians, and remember, "we are all in this together."
COMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 16 Georgia Trails Symposium Atlanta, Georgia
OCTOBER 1-6 ational Recreation and Park
Conference, Anaheim, California
NOVEMBER 8-10 State Conference on Parks and Recreation , Atlanta, Georgia
**********
w ..
FEATURE
"Parks and Recreation in Georgia"
is a publication of the Parks and Recreation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 270 Washington Street, S.W., Atlanta Georgia 30334. Telephone:656-2790.
Joe D. Tanner, COMMISSIONER Henry D. Struble,
DIRECTOR John H. Davis, CHIEF, TECHNICAL
SERVICES Jeff B. Naugle, CHIEF, OPERATIONS
Cover Cartoon Credit : Nancie O'Sullivan Staff Artist, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Georgia State University. Bert Evans, Department of aturaJ Resou rces.
Thousands of rired, nerve-shaken overcivilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home, that wildness is necessity, and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.
John Muir, 1898
This photo shows the beautiful Arabia Lake situated on the Arabia Mountain property in DeKalb County near Lithonia.
DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department has recently acquired more than 500 acres of open space near Lithonia. Known as Arabia Mountain, the large expense is coming into public ownership thanks to a donation from Davidson Mineral Properties, Inc. , and members of the Coffey and Power families of Lithonia, along with cooperation of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The donation comes at a time when the county has a deficit of some 2,300 acres of park land.
One of the most attractive features of the acquisition is that it will cost littl e to the citizens of DeK.alb except ap proximately $8,000 for engineering and survey cost. Even though complete development may encompass much of the next five years, the park should be open to the public almost immediately.
A master plan for the property has been compiled under the direction of Jim Cone, DeKalb Parks and Recreation Director. Some 30 acres will be developed as a community park to serve the nearby area which county officials are expecting to develop heavily in the next few years. The community park will include a recreation center, swimming pool and athletic fields.
Below the communHy park rests a clear lake for fishing. Some of the largest pines in the county are located in this section of Lithonia. The land can be used as a camping area for scouts and other groups.
There will be another lake area located below the first, while in the north end of the mountain park plans include picnicking, trailer and tent camping space. Walking, hiking and bridle trails will lace the entire park, and on the east space will be available for several athletic fields.
[
PERSONNEL ACTION
JOH V. BLACKBURN has been appointed Park Superintendent at Amicalola Falls Stale Park. Blackburn holds his Master's Degree in Park and Recreation Administration from the University of Georgia.
* * * * * *
PAUL A. WRJGHT, a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B. S. Degree in Park and Recreation Administration, has been appointed as SuperintendentIn-Training at Red Top Mountain State Park.
* * * * * *
SAMMY CARL FARR, a 1969 graduate of Southern Tech, has been appointed as Superintendent-In-Training at Hard Labor Creek State Park.
* * * * * *
ROBERT BARONI has resigned as Director of Recreation for the City of Lawrenceville to ente( private business.
* * * * * *
FRA K HOOK Ill has been appointed Activi ties Director for the Statesboro Recreation Depa rtment.
* * * * * *
JO E GLOVER has been appointed Director of Parks and Recreation for Glynn County.
* * * * * *
JEFF B. AUGLE was recently appointed to the position of Chief, Operations Section of the Parks and Recreation Division of the Department of Natural Resources State of Georgia.
* * * * * *
RO CADORA has resigned as Recreation Director for Fulton County .
* * * * * *
JIMM Y A DERSO a graduate of Georgia Southern CoUege and the Unjversity of Georgia, has assumed the position of Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Thomasville.
* * * * * *
LEE SILVER, recipient of his Master's Degree in Recreation this past Spring from Georgia Southern College, has been appointed Instructor of Recrea lion at Clayton Junior CoUege.
William Hatcher is pictured being welcomed aboard at the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Parks and Recreation Department by Director, George Chambliss. Hatcher is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.S. Degree in Recreation.
INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM INSTITUTED IN STATE PARKS
The Parks and Recreation Division has exta bli shed seasonal interpretive programs within thirteen state parks for the first time th is summer. The program is under the direction of Allen R. Coggins, the first professional interpretive speciali t ever empl oyed by the state.
Each program will be directed by a competent naturalist and will provide entertaining, informative, in sp irati onal and recreation oriented programs for park visitors. The easonal interpreters will meet park visitors on a person to person basis, answer their questions concerning the natural or cultural hl tory of the parks conduct field trips and hikes, present eveni ng slide programs, condu ct nature activities for chi ldren and manage nature trails and other naturalist areas.
Mr. Coggins will also be available to ass ist othe r pub lic, private and commercial park and recreation agencies regarding the extab lishment of interpretive programs.
I
Ron Sharpless, a native of Macon and a former Peace Corp Volunteer to Nigeria, is working as an Intern with the Planning and Research Division this summer. He attended West Georgia College, and is presently attending Georgia State. His responsibility is to begin developing the plan for a Scenic Trails System as authorized in the Georgia Scenic Trails Act.
Bill Pelfrey, of Brunswick, is participating in one of Georgia's first Park and Recreation Co-op Programs. He is working two quarters as Community Recreation Leader at Cobb County Sewell Park and then attending school for two quarters at Georgia Southern College.
Mrs. Jane Du rr of Statesboro recently completed her internship with the Parks and Recreation Division. She was a June graduate of Georgia Southern College having received a B.S. Degree in Recreation Administration. She received the " Outstanding Senior Award" within the Recreation Curriculum at GSC.
JAMES E. CREWS, a 1972 graduate of Georgia Southern College has assumed the position of Athletic Director with the Lafayette Recreation and Parks Department.
COBB COUNT COMPLEX
PR
Jimmy Miller, Assistant Director of the Cobb County Parks and Recreation Department, and Charlie Jones, (right) Fountain View Apartments developer are shown standing on a new combination Tennis and Basketball Court in the apartments.
Cobb County will have access to this beautiful clubhouse for classes and club meetings.
An innovative program offering swimming lessons and playground programs in apartment facilities is being tried out in Cobb County.
The result of cooperation between apartment owner and Parks and Recreation Department representatives, the program is bringing supervised summer act ivities into some of the most densely populated areas of the county.
" It is our aim to put our programs and parks where the people are," commented Jim Oates, director of the fast-growing Cobb Parks and Recreation Department since its formation six years ago.
Cobb has only one public swimming pool, and with a booming popu lation of over 200,000, recreation officials have been hard-put to find places to give swimming lessons.
Oates and his assi tant director, Jimmy Miller, met recently with the Cobb Apartment Owners Association, and explained to them the methods used by the Department in organizing its wide-ranging seasonal programs as well as adult education programs.
The Parks and Recreation Department organizes classes, secures instructors, and finds facilities for the instruction, but minimal fees charged for the different activities pay the salaries of the instructors, therefore relieving the taxpayers of the expense.
The unique program is being offered at only three pools this summer, but other owners have expressed interest, too, Miller said.
" We are pleased with the number of apart ments willing to participate," Miller sa id , "but we feel we will gain knowledge from these three this year, then if it works -- and every indication is that it will be a great success --we'll contact. all the owners next year."
Swimming classes are being held at Dora! Apartments, Cooper Lake Apartments, and Fountain View Apartments.
At Fountain View there is also a summer playground program, with owner Charlie Jone furn ishing the equipment and paying the directors. Most of the summer playground programs are held in county chool buildings, but the lucky kids
The county employs capable, qualified swimming instructors for the swimming pool and supervises their activity.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
We believe that the above described~ reation system u ing completely all example of innovative leadership.
pAPARTMENT ECREATION RAM
J
at Fountain View will be able to use the pool tw ice a week , and th e clubhouse, co mplete with ping pong ta bl es, in inclement wea ther.
On a ho t June morn in g Jones watched IS kids at a time take hour-l ong swimming lesso ns, hivering before their hour was over despi te the bright su n ad ding sparkle to the fo unta in from which th e apartment co mp lex ge ts its name, wh ile fi fty othe r children go t th eir bikes ready for a bicycle' parade in the playground program.
" It looks like th is will be somet hing to keep the kid s entertain ed," Jones sa id , " I think nex t year everybody will be doing it."
In th e pool a litt1 e boy named Bobby sa id , " Guess what! When she dropped the quarte r down th ere I go t it the first time."
("She" is the honored titl e given, since time bega n, to the teacher, th e instru ctor, or, often as not, to Mo th er.)
" And she threw it in the deep water, too," according to T roy.
Rex said he has lear ned to use hi s arms better, but wouldn ' t tell the reporter his name -- whi ch hs fell ow seven-yea r-old s prompt ly voluntee red.
Jones, a promin ent Cobb builder, has 26 1 uni ts in his Fountain View Apartments and tries to make it a good place fo r famil ies to live. He didn' t know exactl y how many children were living there, but rememb ered that 45 0 invitations wen t out to th eir Hall owee n par ty Ia t yea r.
A baseball -foo tball fi eld, lighted basketball and tennis cour ts, and a minibik e trail are provided fo r Foun ta in View resid en ts. Jones said the clubh ouse, which has already been used by such varied activities as bridge club s and baton lessons, will be used in th e Fall fo r adult edu ca ti on classes. He has also been approached by th e Red Cross, he sa id , on the possibility of having child ca re and pre- natal ca re clas es.
" Any thing they ca n plan is alright with me," Jones said. " It will help acqu aint the commu nity wi th us, and they will be ab le to see that we are good neighb ors."
The Doral Apartment's Clubhouse is a fac ility that is ideally designed for recreatio n activity. Th e Cobb County department will be utilizing this facility for a rts and crafts. bridge classes. special events, etc.
These youngsters are obviously enjoying the swimming class being offered at the Doral Apartments pool.
an excellent example of a park and recurces at its disposal. We appl aud this
Apartment complexes, such as the one pictured here, are developing at such tremendous rates all over the state that other park and recreat ion systems might do well to follow the example as set by Cobb County.
FEDERAL AID
LUDOWICI An Economic Development Admin-
istration grant of $4,867.00 to acquire 7.8 acres of land for future development of Iigh ted baseball/football field , multi-purpose court, concession stand , bleachers and restroom.
COBB COUNTY A Land and Water Conservation Fund
Grant of $705 ,994.00 for development of three county owned sites. The three sites are Fuller Park, 40 acres, Fair Oaks Park, 40 acres, and Rhyne Park, 27 acres.
DALTON $17 ,254.00 from the Bureau of Out-
door Recreation (L&WCF) to develop a 2.6 acre park.
JEKYLL ISLAND STATE PARK $35,000.00 from the Bureau of Out-
door Recreation to construct a 5.7 mile paved golf cart path.
FLOYD COUNTY A $17,951.00 grant from B.O.R. to
acquire additional acreage to complete an existing ball field located on a leased park site. This project is located at the Cave Spring site.
STATE OF GEORGIA $500,000 from B.O.R. for acquisition
of 867 acres of land along Sweetwater Creek in Douglas County.
FORT OGLETHORPE A BOR Grant in the amount $60,980
for development of 12 acre park on donated land.
GWINNETT COUNTY $233,407 from B.O.R. to develop Best
Friend Park, a donated park site of 21 acres.
PELHAM A L&WCF Grant of $10,209 to
develop two city park sites.
Callanwolde Estate, the twelve acre wooded home of Charles Howard Candler, has been purchased by DeKalb County. Callanwolde will be operated as a cultural and garden center under the direction of the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department. The department will program and schedule the cultural activities, hopefully embracing all of the fine arts and will encourage all organizations connected with cultural activities to participate. Though the mansion is magnificent, the interesting point to be made is that much of the credit for this action being taken is due to diligent efforts of the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department.
These 42 young people are part of the "lifesaving force" working in Georgia's state parks this summer. They all successfully completed a Lifesaving Seminar held on June 8th at Wiii-AWay Park for the Handicapped near Winder. Dick Sanders, extreme right, Assistant Director of Safety Programs for the Metropolitan Atlanta Red Cross Chapter and Fred Stokes, left, Assistant Aquatics Director for the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department conducted the seminar which stressed skills testing, first aid and pool/waterfront management.
A GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CITY AND/OR COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Publication Revised
This publication should be ready for general distribution within thirty days. Published cooperatively by the Georgia Power Company, the State Parks and Recreation Division, the Charles M. Graves Organization and the Southeastern Regional Office of
.R.P.A. , this guide has been extremely popular throughout its previous four editions. According to Frank Hood, Assistant Vice President in Charge of Georgia Power's Community Development Department, this edition has been greatly expanded and updated. Graphics and photographs have been added which really improve the Guide's appearance . "We are delighted to finance the publishing of this Guide, and we genuinely trust that it will continue to promote the excellent park and recreation development to be found in Georgia," stated Mr. Hood.
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION POSITION
APPROVED
Henry D. Struble, Director of the Parks and Recreation! Division, Department of atural Resources, has announced the approval of a federal grant in the area of Therapeutic Recrea-' tion.
The grant, which was approved through the Developmental! Disabilities Services Act, will provide funds for the addition of a Therapeutic Recreation Consultant to the Division staff. The Consultant will be available to provide advisory services to public and private agencies and other state agencies in the planning and development of therapeutic recreation and park programs and facilities.
Individuals or agencies desiring additional information on the. new service should contact the Division office.
CORRECTIONAL RECREATION POST APPOINTMENT MADE
W. Tom Martin, Jr. , Instructor and Acting Head of the Parks and Recreation Curriculum at Georgia Southern College in Statesboro has been appoi nted to the position of State Directo r, Correctional Recreation Programs. Martin holds a B.S. Degree in Recreation from Georgia Southern College and a Master's Degree from the University of North Carolina. He has taught park and recreation administration at Georgia Southern College since 1968. He served as Assista nt Director of the former Georgia Recreation Commission from 1964- 1968 . Prior to that he served two years as a Recreation Supervisor with the Durham, orth Carolina Parks an d Recreation Department. "As State Director of Correction Recreation Programs Mr. Martin will be responsible for planning an d developing a comprehensive system of Correctional Recreation within our prison units," stated Ellis Mac Dougall , Director of Offe nder Reh ab ilitat ion for Georgia.
GEORGIA CONFERENCE ON RECREATION AND PARKS
Plans are now being finalized for the 1972 Georgia Conference on Recreation and Parks. The Conference is scheduled November 8, 9 & I0 with Conference headquarters at the Executive Park Motor Hotel in Atlanta.
The 28th Annual Conference is sponsored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Society in cooperation with the Parks and Recreatio n Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department.
Sessions are being planned in areas of special interest such as staff develo pment , leadership techniques, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation, armed forces recreation, reorganization of state park and recreation agencies, municipal-county recreation and others. A preconference workshop on park and recreatio n legislation is also being planned .
Detailed information on the Conference, hotel reservations and pre-registration information will be forthcoming .
For additional information contact:
Thad L. Studstill Parks and Recreation Division Department of Natural Resources 270 Washington St., S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30334
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The Department of Offender Rehabilitation has announced that applications are being accepted for positions of Director of Correctional Recreation in one of Georgia's Correctional Institutions. Desired qualifications include a B.S. Degree in Recreation or related field plus two years experience. Salary $8,154 ($8 ,538 after six months). Interested parties may contact: W. Tom Martin, Jr., Asst. Deputy Commissioner for Recreation, Department of Offender Rehabilitation, Trinity-Washington Building, 270 Washington Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, 30334.
Governor Jimmy Carter is shown above announcing the news that the State of Georgia, the Georgia Power Company , the Nature Conservancy and the Bu reau of Outdoor Recreation had successfully cleared the first hurdle in development of a Chattahoochee River Park.
The first major step has been taken toward preserving hundred acres of natural woodlands along the Chattahoochee for a public park, according to Governor Carter. In a recent press conference the Governor announced th at Georgia Power Company had donated over ISO acres of land along the Chattahoochee to the
ature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy will turn the land over to the State for use as a park.
The Governor announced that ar rangements had already been made to acquire approximately 225 ad ditiona l acres of land along the River when the Federal funds (which the State is seeking from BOR) are approved. The total value of the land which can be acquired immediately upon BOR approval will exceed $4 million , but will not cost the State and thus the Georgia taxpayers "one penny", according to the Governor.
PARK PROJECTS UNDER CON ST R U C T I O N
PARK Amicalola Falls Crooked River Crooked River Elijah Clark Fort Mountain Fort Mountain 1Fort Mountain Fort Mountain Ga. Veterans Memorial Ga. Veterans Memorial General Coffee General Coffee General Coffee Hamburg Little Ocurnlgee Magnolia Springs Mistletoe Mistletoe Mistletoe Panola Mountain Providence Canyon Red Top Mountain Reed Bingham Reed Bingham Reed Bingham Seminole Seminole Seminole Tugaloo Tugaloo Victoria Bryant Vogel Whitewater Creek Whitewater Creek Whitewater Creek Whitewater Creek Watson Mill Watson Mill
PROJECT Well Water System Superintendent's Residence Group Shelter Central Building Check in Station Rest Station Caretaker's Residence Five Cottages Caretaker's Residence Rest Station Trading Post Comfort Station Rest Station Comfort Station 9 Hole Addition-Golf Course Rest Station Five Cottages Caretaker's Residence Family Group Shelter Well Superintendent's Residence Water System Comfort Station Caretaker's Residence Concession Building Comfort Station Caretaker's Residence Five Cottages Comfort Station Rest Station Golf Course Irrigation Sewage System Comfort Station Control Building Group Shelter Rest Station Rest Station Well
RED CROSS AQUATIC SCHOOL SET
Did you have a difficult time locating a qualified lifeguard this spring? Plan ahead and send several of your guards to Aquatic and First Aid School. The last remaining school for this summer is to be conducted August 21-31, at Camp Rockmont. Black Mountain, North Carolina.
The following is included in the school's curriculum:
l. QUALIFYING INSTRUCTORS - in first aid, water safety, and more advanced training for existing instructors.
2. SEMI NARS - Community Aquatic Leadership , First Aid Leadership, Camp Waterfront Leadership and Swimming Pool Leadership.
3. OPPORTUNITY - for Water Safety Instructors whose authorization has expired to be re-certified.
4. SPECIAL ELECTIVES - Sailing, Canoeing, Rowing, Outboards.
Contact the American National Red Cross at 1955 Monroe Drive, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30324 further information. Telephone : 404-875 -7921.
PARKS AND R-ECREATION TRENDS FROM OTHER STATES
ARIZONA: A proposed state constitutional amendment to allow cities to issue bonds to buy land for parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities was approved by the Arizona legislature for submission to the voters in November.
KENTUCKY: In response to a recommendation from Governor Ford, the Kentucky Water Pollution Control Commission accepted for public hearing an amended regulation to protect the entire length of the Ohio River in Kentucky for recreation use.
OHI O: Bills to expand state protection for scenic and recreation rivers and to establish a network of hiking and bicycling trails were. passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and returned to the State Senate for concurrence in amendments before going to the governor for signature.
TENNESSEE: A parks, recreation and conservation planning study report prepared by the Memphis and Shelby County Planning Commission concluded that the recreation needs of citizens are not being met if they can't walk to a neighborhood park in 10 minutes or if there isn't a large park within three miles of their home.
TEXAS: Dr. William B. Dean, chairman of the Dallas Park Board , declared the city's long green line of park facilities along the Trinity River , when completed, will make Dallas the No. 1 city in the wo rld for ou tdoor recreation. Discussing a recent announcement of a $2.2 million federal matching grant to acquire 2,113 acres along the river for parks, Dean said the city must match the H.U.D. "open space" grant by approving $1,117,593 in local bonds.
Alma-Bacon County is justifiably proud of this new Community Center. The building was paid for by Model Cities and 4.1ma-Bacon County Recreation Board funds and features one of the newest designs of centers in Georgia. Sid Smith is the new Admin istrator of Parks and Recreation, and his office is hou5ed in this facility.